The Blue Willow

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Photo by Jeff Thompson

0413 Blue Willow

Owner Anna Barnes, above center, and her staff sell avariety of gift products for home, baby and more from TheBlue Willow in Cahaba Heights.

Anna Barnes was a math teacher and later an assistant principal, but she always dreamed of being a store owner. She would look at buying clothing and shoe boutiques, but never found a place that she really liked — until she discovered one of her favorite stores, the store that was exactly what she had been looking for, was closing its doors.

Within a week, The Blue Willow was hers. The 13-year-old Cahaba Heights accessories store celebrated its first birthday under Barnes’ ownership in March.

Located in the hills behind The Summit, The Blue Willow is what Barnes calls a “one-stop shop.” The business specializes in monogramming, etching and engraving custom jewelry, handbags, bracelets, even glassware, ceramics, and pillows.

Previous owner Cyndy Kiel sold the majority of the store’s merchandise before going out of business, so Barnes rebuilt the inventory from the ground up.

“In essence, I got to start from scratch ordering inventory and displays,” Barnes said.

The diverse inventory has a matching variety of price points. Purses, scarves, jewelry and even hand towels with the shape of Alabama embroidered on them are available for those looking to spend less than $20. More substantial items come at higher price points; a Haul Couture houndstooth bag runs $119, and personalized gold earrings are $248. The Blue Willow also offers candles, soaps, lotions, stemware and frames.

The staff, most of whom has been with the store for the majority of its existence, did agree to stay on, providing continuity in the transition. Barnes also took the opportunity to paint the store and renovate the back offices while the store was empty.

To bring a modern face to the business, Barnes set about re-branding the store and creating a new focus on online sales, as well as Facebook and Twitter promotions. Still, customer service in the store comes first, she said.

“Our slogan is ‘Wrapped in Southern charm,’” Barnes said. “We want people to feel like they’ve been treated like family. That’s what makes people come back.”

In addition to its warm greetings to customers, The Blue Willow entices guests to come back with a rewards card. Every $25 spent earns a stamp on the card. After the card is full, guests earn a $20 gift certificate.

All gifts purchased can be gift wrapped in aqua and white with grey accents, and the store offers seasonal colors as well as pink and blue for baby gifts. Each parcel also has The Blue Willow label so guests will recognize where the gift is from.

“It really is a one-stop shop,” Barnes said. “You can pick up baby gifts, wedding gifts, birthday gifts and something for yourself, too.”